60 Seconds & You’re Hired!, by Robin Ryan

Being interviewed for a job is often a nerve-racking experience. But keep this in mind: the interviewer might be just as nervous as you are.

Recruitment decisions are crucial for any company, and recruiters are expected to select the right person out of hundreds of applicants in a very short period of time. In this hectic process, it’s easy for candidates to blur together in the recruiter’s mind.

So, as an applicant, how can you stand out?

Make five memorable points

Before the interview, pare all your skills and strengths down to a 5 Point Agenda. Focus on the qualities that best suit the position and company, and formulate them in a way that takes no longer than 60 seconds to present.

For example, imagine you’re applying for a job as a copywriter. Your 5 Point Agenda might be:

Three years of experience with a popular ad agency

A massive portfolio of original copy

Previous experience in coaching other writers

Fluency in three languages

Never missed a deadline

Outline these five points to your interviewer and continue mentioning them throughout the process. This will direct her attention to your core strengths, helping her remember them and you.